Surfers and Cowboys is a movie about three professional surfers and three professional bull riders and their lives intersecting. Hold on tight for this inspiring adventure where faith and fear collide

We are so excited to share this movie with the world. Our next steps are to raise the money needed to finish the movie, finalize the story, film all the footage still needed, edit the movie, show rough edits of the movie to test audiences, begin planning the screenings, and work with our music composer. If you would like to make a donation to help fund this movie, please go to walkingonwater.com/donate and please email [email protected] to host a screening or help us finish the movie. You can watch the trailer at surfersandcowboysmovie.com

At Walking On Water, we call it our Big 3. The three main things we do at Walking On Water is produce movies that will impact the world in positive ways, run camps throughout the year that will challenge and change students lives, and we run missions trips around the world to make a difference in the lives of others. Take a look below and check out some upcoming opportunities to get involved with Walking On Water.

CAMPS

Aspen Young Leaders Retreat
February 17-20
A weekend trip to the insanely beautiful Aspen, CO during President’s Day Break. This trip is focused on students ages 16-22 having a blast and pushing deeper in our faith. All the while learning to be powerful leaders in our community. Snowboard/Ski/Jacuzzi/Laughing.

Summer Camps 2017
Walking On Water offers Overnight and Day Surf Camps in Southern, CA throughout the summer. These are unique and powerful environments where fun is had, and life-transformation is expected. RSVP now to stay updated for 2017 camp dates. Be the first to know as dates are announced, to make sure you claim your spot! Email [email protected]

Overnight Camps 2017
High Overnight Camp: July 10-14 · High School Overnight Camp: July 17-21
Spend the week with other Jr. High or High School-aged students in San Diego, CA at the beautiful beachfront Pt. Loma Nazarene University. Eat at the cafeteria, head to morning bible study, and then down to the beach for a full day of surfing and relaxing. Close out the day with a time of worship through teaching and music. Then do it all again the next day. You won’t want to miss out on this opportunity!!! CLICK HERE for more info.

Kauai Young Leaders Retreat
August 10-14
A 5-day trip focused on having a blast on the beautiful island of Kauai and pushing deeper in our faith. We want to challenge you to go back to your schools and homes equipped to take on the challenges of being a leader.

Lowers Grom Weekend
Friday September 8 @4pm – Sunday September 10 @4pm
A weekend surf trip during the Hurley Pro Lowers. Focused on having a blast and pushing deeper in our faith. All the while learning to be powerful leaders in our community. Watch the best surfers in the world, and even surf with them, during this San Clemente based weekend outing. To learn more and sign up email [email protected]

MISSIONS

Scotland
Dates: January 2nd-16th, 2017
Status: Accepting applications
We are heading to Scotland in January on an all girls mission trip to serve the community and share the hope and love of Jesus Christ!
For more information email: [email protected]

JapanDates: August 2017 (exact dates TBA)
Status: Accepting applications
Join us for our 13th annual mission trip to Japan! There are more surfers in Japan than Christians and there is no better place to use your love for surfing to reach the lost.
Watch the Japan trip promo video: CLICK HERE.
For more information email: [email protected]

MOVIES

Beyond Sight Movie– this incredible movie just toured through New Zealand, and it can come to your city too. The story and film of our amazing friend and blind surfer – Derek Rabelo – is an inspirational film that no one will forget. For more information on the film CLICK HERE or email [email protected]com to bring Beyond Sight to your city.

Surfers and Cowboys Movie– some new twists in this story that have thrust two of our stars onto a world-wide stage – have us filming new footage, and working hard to finish this great movie. If you would like to help us finish Surfer's and Cowboys movie you can do so financially by donating (CLICK HERE to donate) or email [email protected] to find out how you can join our production and world tour planning team.

Here are more ways to get involved with Walking On Water:

As our staff grows, we need more office space. If you have office space in San Clemente, CA that could be donated to WOW, please contact us here. ([email protected])

As many of you know, in September we stepped out in faith to grow Walking On Water with new leadership positions and with a goal to see more people reached with the Gospel! We knew that we would need to raise a large amount of money to pay for this growth so we started to simply share the vision with YOU, our partners and friends. Our goal was to raise $300,000. The San Clemente and San Diego Walking On Water fundraiser banquets could not have been more blessed! Over four hundred friends were in attendance at the banquets, and we could feel the excitement in the air. It was like everyone already knew that God was going to do something special, and He did! God provided $77,000 at the San Clemente banquet and $93,000 at the San Diego banquet! So we have now raised $240,000 out of our $300,000 overall goal! Will you please prayerfully consider making a donation and helping us reach our $300,000 overall goal! You can donate at walkingonwater.com/donate or you can mail a check made out to Walking On Water and mail to: Walking On Water, 5928 Balfour Court, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

Lord Jesus, thank you for throwing us a surprise party and for bringing out so many of our special friends to celebrate what you’ve been doing and what you are about to do through Walking On Water! We love and appreciate you! Thank you for your perfect provision. Amen.

THE TRAGEDY IN LIFE IS NOT DEATH ITSELF, BUT WHAT DIES INSIDE YOU WHILE YOU’RE STILL ALIVE! The time has come to finish this special movie. Our team is working hard to finish the Surfers And Cowboys movie by February 2017! Our next steps are to raise the money needed to finish the movie, finalize the story, film all the footage still needed, edit the movie, show rough edits of the movie to test audiences, begin planning the screenings, and work with our music composer. Over the next two months we will be filming a few final scenes with big wave professional surfer Aaron Gold and professional bull rider Zane Cook. The Surfers And Cowboys movie has literally been written by God over this past year. The story will cover Zane’s intense journey to qualify for the world tour of bull riding and Aaron Gold’s desire to ride the biggest wave ever paddled into. We are looking forward to setting up family movie showing events all over the nation where the Gospel will be shared clearly. If you would like to make a donation to help fund this movie, please go to walkingonwater.com/donate and please email [email protected] to host a screening or help us finish the movie. You can watch the trailer at surfersandcowboysmovie.com

Zane Cook first met Bryan Jennings while he was in San Diego for a Pro Bull Riding event. Zane and Thad Newell and Jake Nelson, and other bull riders took a surf lesson with Bryan, and immediately saw the similarities between bull riding and surfing. Though Bryan had been dreaming about a film about bull riders and surfers, this connection was where the Surfers and Cowboys movie really began to take shape. We asked Zane a few questions about his pro bull riding career and the Walking on Water movie that he will be featured in.

As for the similarities between surfing and bull riding? Zane says, “It takes a lot of balance and body control to ride bulls, and I found it’s the same way with surfing.”

We asked Zane to describe what it is like to ride a bull. Zane says, “It’s unexplainable the feeling of riding bulls. It’s a feeling all in its own -- it’s nerves and adrenaline, and maybe a little fear and a few other feelings all mixed together for 8 seconds.”

When asked what he hopes people will learn from the Surfers and Cowboys movie, Zane answered: “I hope that people would learn from the movie to just let God be in control and trust in him.”

As for Zane’s Pro Bull Riding goals? “My goals are to go to the PBR world finals every year for the rest of my career and to be a PBR World Champion at least once.”

Finally, we asked Zane how his faith in God helps him in his career. Zane replied: “God has everything to do with my career. I’m doing the most dangerous sport in the world, and putting my life on the line every time (I ride) so it’s important to be right with God and to live my life the way he would want me to. I don’t know when my last day is, so I just put my trust in God and give Him all the glory for letting me live a dream.”

“Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” -Ephesians 5:16

God created us for eternity, though our life on earth is short.

There is a theme throughout the Surfer Cowboys movie of living each day with meaning and purpose. How we spend our days on the earth matters. Are we making the most of each day?

As humans, we have a natural fear of death, yet we can have confidence that we will be with God for eternity. Ultimately, there is nothing to fear in death because it is a transition into something much better. This ought to shape how we think, and how we live.

C.S. Lewis said “It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither.”
While God gives us breath and life, we have the great opportunity to live big for Him. To hold loosely to things of this world, and invest our days and our lives for things of eternal value. Though we are not all bull riders or surfers, God has given us all gifts and stories. And we have the great privilege to use them for His Kingdom and His glory. How can we do that today?

We are so excited about all God is doing with Walking On Water. After two amazing banquets, we are more excited than ever to see God’s kingdom advanced through the evangelism approach of our movies, and the discipleship that happens in camps and on missions trips. Check out the list below of upcoming things you can be a part of at WOW.

MISSIONS

El Salvador
Dates: December 27-January 3
Status: Full
Come and impact the community of El Zonte with the love of Jesus through a vacation Bible School program, surf movie nights, surfing and hanging with the locals.
For more information email: [email protected]

Scotland
Dates: January 2nd-16th, 2017
Status: Accepting applications
We are heading to Scotland in January on an all girls mission trip to serve the community and share the hope and love of Jesus Christ!
For more information email: [email protected]

Dates: August 2017 (exact dates TBA)
Status: Accepting applications
Join us for our 13th annual mission trip to Japan! There are more surfers in Japan than Christians and there is no better place to use your love for surfing to reach the lost.
Watch the Japan trip promo video: CLICK HERE.
For more information email: [email protected]

YOUNG LEADER RETREATS

Grom Weekend Carlsbad Campout
Friday December 2 @ 4pm - Sunday December 4 @ 4pm
A weekend camp trip at the Carlsbad State Beach Campground, focused on having a blast and pushing deeper in our faith. All the while learning to be powerful leaders in our world.

Girls Weekend Oceanside
Friday December 2 @4pm - Sunday December 4 @4pm
A weekend beach home trip in Oceanside, CA. This trip is focused on having a blast and pushing deeper in our faith. All the while learning to be powerful leaders in our community.

Aspen Young Leaders Retreat
February 17-20
A weekend trip to the insanely beautiful Aspen, CO during President’s Day Break. This trip is focused on students ages 16-22 having a blast and pushing deeper in our faith. All the while learning to be powerful leaders in our community. Snowboard/Ski/Jacuzzi/Laughing.

Kauai Young Leaders Retreat
August 10-14
A 5-day trip focused on having a blast on the beautiful island of Kauai and pushing deeper in our faith. We want to challenge you to go back to your schools and homes equipped to take on the challenges of being a leader.

Lowers Grom Weekend
Friday September 8 @4pm - Sunday September 10 @4pm
A weekend surf trip during the Hurley Pro Lowers. Focused on having a blast and pushing deeper in our faith. All the while learning to be powerful leaders in our community. Watch the best surfers in the world, and even surf with them, during this San Clemente based weekend outing. To learn more and sign up email [email protected]

CAMPS

Summer Camps 2017
Walking On Water offers Overnight and Day Surf Camps in Southern, CA throughout the summer. These are unique and powerful environments where fun is had, and life-transformation is expected. RSVP now to stay updated for 2017 camp dates. Be the first to know as dates are announced, to make sure you claim your spot! Email [email protected]

Overnight Camps 2017
Jr. High Overnight Camp: July 10-14 · High School Overnight Camp: July 17-21
Spend the week with other Jr. High or High School-aged students in San Diego, CA at the beautiful beachfront Pt. Loma Nazarene University. Eat at the cafeteria, head to morning bible study, and then down to the beach for a full day of surfing and relaxing. Close out the day with a time of worship through teaching and music. Then do it all again the next day. You won’t want to miss out on this opportunity!!! CLICK HERE for more info.

MOVIES

Beyond Sight Movie - this incredible movie just toured through New Zealand, and it can come to your city too. The story and film of our amazing friend and blind surfer - Derek Rabelo - is an inspirational film that no one will forget. For more information on the film CLICK HERE or email [email protected]kingonwater.com to bring Beyond Sight to your city.

Surfers and Cowboys Movie - some new twists in this story that have thrust two of our stars onto a world-wide stage - have us filming new footage, and working hard to finish this great movie. If you would like to help us finish Surfer's and Cowboys movie you can do so financially by donating (CLICK HERE to donate) or email [email protected] to find out how you can join our production and world tour planning team.

Here are more ways to get involved with Walking On Water:

As our staff grows, we need more office space. If you have office space in San Clemente, CA that could be donated to WOW, please contact us here. ([email protected])

Derek Rabelo has just completed a very blessed tour of New Zealand. The eleven day tour was organized by Rosemaree Knight and Jeanine Treherne from Australia. The tour covered the area of Auckland-Raglan-Mount Wanganui, and it included visits to churches, youth groups, a TV Interview for Shine TV, and more. Derek was interviewed by Radio Rhema, visited The New Zealand Surf Academy at Raglan Area School, surfed with enthusiasts, Christian Surfers, and other Christians who braved the cold water. He also had the chance to show the Beyond Sight movie three times.

During the tour they made many good friends, and Derek especially loved meeting a blind boy at the event hosted by Christian Surfers at the Mt Manganui Social Club. It was a truly incredible time, and they were blessed with wonderful hospitality along the way.The tour had great program support & hosting from many churches and youth ministries, and Derek was encouraged to return and visit even more places in the future. What a Mighty God we serve.

Aaron Chang has partnered with the Four Seasons Residence Aviara hotel to create an epic vacation package for the hotels guests. It is a photo safari through Southern California led by Aaron Chang and hosted (quite luxuriously - white robes post surf session included!) by the Four Season’s concierge service. The crew travels through some of San Diego’s beautiful scenery and gets a first hand photo lesson from Aaron Chang himself.

Beginning with morning coffee on the coastal bluffs, and ending with a helicopter ride, it is pretty amazing. Walking On Water got to share in this safari by providing surfing lessons for the guests at one of our favorite photogenic beaches. For the first Photo Safari, Forbes.com writer David Hochman, his wife and son were the guests. He wrote an article describing the day and absolutely loved his time surfing with the WOW crew. One quote from that article: “Learn surf basics from Connor and Kyle from Walking on Water, a local surf school (It’s part of a Christian surf ministry but they don’t get preachy).” We were so glad the Hochmans enjoyed their lesson, and we actually got word that he and his family just might have purchased a surfboard for themselves after their session.

We are thrilled to welcome Pastor Paul Gates to Walking on Water as the new Director of Operations and Fundraising. Paul and Bryan have been long time friends, and after months of prayer and discussion, Paul is taking the leap of faith to work full time with WOW. With a heart for missions and evangelism, and a contagious gift of encouragement, Paul could not be a better fit.

Paul grew up on the mission field in the jungles of Papua New Guinea where his parents were Wycliffe missionaries. Paul’s gift of encouragement was passed down to him from his father, who he remembers always wanting to shine God’s light in a dark world.

At age 14, Paul led his best friend to the Lord, and there began his own passion to share Jesus with everyone he could. Paul later attended Biola University, where he got a degree in Non-profit Marketing and Bible. Paul and his wife are raising six kids, and love to share God’s love, speaking at churches, camps, conferences and more.

One of Paul’s favorite verses is John 10:10, where Jesus contrasts the will of the enemy with God’s will for his people. Whereas the enemy wants to steal, kill, and destroy, God wills that his people would have life and have it abundantly. Paul has no greater joy than to share the gospel boldly and give everyone the chance to begin a relationship with Jesus. This is an abundant life!

We look forward to the work that God will do through Paul as he uses his gifts to serve. He will be raising funds to support his work at WOW. You can offer support by selecting “Paul Gates Monthly Support” from the designation options at walkingonwater.com/donate